Studieblad 1881 - 1883

Editor: Here we have George Hendrik Breitner's "Studieblad" from 1881 to 1883, created with drawing and mixed media on paper. The scribbled writing and sketches feel almost like a private document, a glimpse into the artist's mind. What stands out to you about this page? Curator: Well, first, consider the material conditions of its making. Paper was a relatively accessible material, yet these aren't the smooth, pristine pages we might associate with high art. Instead, this looks like a utilitarian notebook, used for jotting down ideas and calculations alongside sketches. Think about the social context – Breitner was capturing urban life, the everyday experiences of ordinary people. Does this medium, mixed with handwriting, point to an emerging artist looking for ways to produce in the means available to him, and if so, why? Editor: I see what you mean. It blurs the lines between a preparatory sketch and a finished piece. The presence of numbers almost industrializes the art. Curator: Exactly! Look at the labor involved. Pencil and paper allowed for quick notation, reflecting the pace of modern life he sought to depict. It democratizes the artistic process, suggesting that art can emerge from the everyday grind. Do you see this challenge any traditional views on skill and what's “worthy” of artistic representation? Editor: Absolutely. It challenges the notion of art being separate from daily work or ordinary experiences. It's fascinating how the materials themselves speak to the artist's process and the broader societal changes occurring at the time. Curator: And by presenting the means of production so visibly, it prompts us to consider the value we assign to finished artworks versus the artistic labour embedded within works like these. Food for thought, right? Editor: Definitely! I will definitely think differently of this piece of work now that it has a layer of labour and accessibility! Thanks!